A Conservative MP in the UK has faced accusations of Islamophobia after suggesting that police should arrest protesters who chant “Allahu Akbar” (God is great).
Robert Jenrick’s remarks came in the wake of week-long nationwide riots involving far-right groups, which were met with counter-protests, including many from the Muslim community.
Jenrick, a prominent figure in the party’s leadership race, made these comments during a Sky News discussion on “two-tier” policing. He said, “I find it unacceptable that someone can shout Allahu Akbar on the streets of London and not be immediately arrested, or project genocidal chants onto Big Ben without facing immediate consequences. This attitude is wrong, and I will always call out the police for it.”
Jenrick’s statements drew widespread criticism, including from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who accused him of inciting further unrest. Former Conservative party chair Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and Labour MPs Naz Shah and Afzal Khan also condemned his remarks.
In a social media post, Baroness Warsi criticized Jenrick, saying: “Every day before we start parliamentary business, we say a prayer and praise God—our parliamentary version of Allahu Akbar. This language from Jenrick is more of his usual nasty, divisive rhetoric—he is such a tool.”
Naz Shah, MP for Bradford West, labeled Jenrick’s comments as “textbook Islamophobia.”
Despite the backlash, Jenrick defended himself, asserting that he was concerned about maintaining control over extremist elements on the streets.
